The Story of Phoenix Mercury’s 2014 WNBA Championship Win Without Star Center Brittney Griner
How Did Diana Taurasi & Co. Win?
Introduction
The Phoenix Mercury's 2014 WNBA championship win was a remarkable achievement, considering they did it without their star center, Brittney Griner. Griner was suspended for the season after testing positive for a banned substance. Despite this setback, the Mercury rallied around their remaining players and went on to win their third WNBA championship title.
This blog post will take an in-depth look at how the Phoenix Mercury were able to win the 2014 WNBA championship without Brittney Griner. We will examine the team's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the key moments in the playoffs that led to their victory.
Team Strengths:
- Diana Taurasi: The Mercury’s leading scorer and one of the best players in the WNBA. She averaged 24.6 points per game in the playoffs.
- Candice Dupree: A versatile forward who averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
- Penny Taylor: A veteran point guard who provided leadership and stability for the team.
- DeWanna Bonner: A rising star who averaged 14.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
- Strong bench: The Mercury had a deep bench that provided valuable minutes and contributions throughout the playoffs.
Team Weaknesses:
- Lack of size: Without Griner, the Mercury were undersized in the post. They were outrebounded by their opponents in the playoffs.
- Inconsistent defense: The Mercury struggled with their defense at times, especially in the early rounds of the playoffs.
- Injury concerns: The Mercury had several key players who were dealing with injuries during the playoffs.
Key Moments in the Playoffs:
The Mercury faced several challenges on their way to the championship, but they were able to overcome each one.
- Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals: The Mercury lost Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals to the Minnesota Lynx, but they bounced back to win the next three games and take the series.
- Game 5 of the WNBA Finals: The Mercury trailed the Chicago Sky by 10 points in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, but they rallied to win the game and clinch the championship.
Conclusion:
The Phoenix Mercury's 2014 WNBA championship win was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite losing their star center, the Mercury were able to come together and win their third WNBA championship title. This victory is a reminder that anything is possible if you have the right mindset and the support of your teammates.
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